Local Return, an area non-profit agency aimed at amplifying entrepreneurs and small businesses, recently announced the five inaugural inductees onto the new "Rhode Island Loyal Local List" honor roll, including one with Warren ties.

Kristi Dukoff, the founder of Kristi’s Kraftails based in town, was recognized along with Greg Pilgrim, Pierre St-Germain, Katy Westcott and Stuart Flanagan as the first to be recognized for their "commitment to the local economy."

Local Return's stated aim "is for Rhode Island families and communities to control their own economic destiny." It's mission is "to build community wealth in Rhode Island through ownership and investment, particularly in neighborhoods that have experienced historical disinvestment. Community wealth-building is creating and using local assets to make our communities more vibrant, developing assets in such ways that the wealth stays local, and helping our families and communities control their own economic destiny."

“We honor these business leaders for recognizing the economic and community ripples that come from spending and investing locally,” said Jessica David, president of Local Return. “They have choices, and they prioritize local. We hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us...When money is in motion within a community, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”

The Loyal Local List highlights the local multiplier effect, the demonstrated benefits of keeping money moving within the local economy.

For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, an average of $68 stays in the local community (compared to $43 for a big box store). Funds held at a local credit union or community bank stay entirely in the local economy, compared to less than 1% with the large, national banks. Perhaps even more importantly, money that stays local recirculates through the local economy 2-4 times more than money spent at a non-local company, meaning more wealth, jobs, and community giving. It also means stronger community ties.

Dukoff has developed a line of locally-sourced, seasonally-inspired mocktails and locally-roasted seasoned nuts. She launched her company in 2022 to reimagine the drinking experience for anyone seeking alcohol‑free options. Her Kraftails are vegan, low-sugar, and gluten-free.

“Local supporting local is so important, as we are a small but mighty community,” said Dukoff. “It’s the domino effect to help and support as many local makers, farms, and producers as I can, when I know exactly how hard they work and how many hats they wear. It can't get any more local than using local ingredients and products.”

The local businesses Dukoff works with include Pinch of Fancy, Jaffal Chocolates, Dee’s Sweets, Grain Reaper, The Local Patch, Moonrose Farm, Jaswell’s Farm, Carlson’s, Dragon Fly Farm, Chris & Christina’s Farm, Lucky Foot Farm, Bardon Orchard, Four Town Farm and Ward’s Berry Farm.

"I feel like this is beyond touching since its recognition of Local Return," Dukoff said her reaction to receiving the notice. "And since I’m a small local business, who wants to support as many small local businesses as I can, I’m beyond grateful that I got recognized on this very special list that is the local list. Local supporting local, it’s a beautiful thing."

Additionally, this past festive season Dukoff operated a pop-up shop "Kristi's Holiday Market & Cafe" on Main Street. The effort, entirely, 100%, composed from area sources, featured more than 60 vendors, artisans and producers as well as a food pantry for anyone in need.

“I admire Kristi for her boundless compassion for her community and the way that her entire business is a love letter to her neighbors,” said Lisa Raiola, president and founder of Hope & Main also based in town. “As a mixologist she understands that we all thrive when this rare alchemy is achieved.”

As for the other honorees, Flanagan is Principal of Newport Renewables. Newport Renewables’ mission is to make solar energy accessible for every home. They provide development, construction, operation, and maintenance services for renewable energy projects throughout New England and are particularly known for their expertise in building zero energy homes and installing commercial and utility solar power.

Pilgrim is CEO of Murdock Webbing Company, an industry leader in manufacturing narrow woven fabrics since 1936. With more than 150 employees in their Central Falls facility, Murdock Webbing creates woven products that meet the needs of their customers. Their products are used in military equipment, pet safety restraints, and fall restraints. Committed to innovative technologies, all of Murdock’s manufacturing is done in the United States.

St-Germain is Director of Dining & Conference Services at the University of Rhode Island. St-Germain says that 62% of URI Dining Services’ business is locally sourced. They have relationships with local companies such as Tony’s Seafood, Roch’s Produce, Cabot Creamery, Giffords, Bliss, and Narragansett Creamery. They also work closely with the URI Agronomy Farm to procure locally grown and harvested produce. Additionally, URI’s convenience store, The Corner Store, located in Hope Commons, sells local items such as Little Rhody fresh eggs and ice cream and sorbets from Green Line Apothecary.

Westcott is Owner and CEO of Katrinkles, Inc. An independent, female owned and operated business, Katrinkles provides crafters and fiber artists with high quality buttons and tools. Katrinkles buttons and tools are carried by independent yarn and craft stores in 48 states, several online platforms, and 18 other countries.

She calculates that 58% of the components used to manufacture Katrinkles products are made locally. A full 75% of Katrinkles suppliers are located in the northeast region.

The Loyal Local List is made possible with grant funding from BankNewport.

“BankNewport is proud to support Local Return and the inaugural Loyal Local List, which recognizes Rhode Island business leaders who understand that where we spend, bank, and invest matters,” said Jack Murphy, the bank's President and CEO. “When dollars stay local, they help strengthen small businesses, create opportunity, and build more resilient communities. We applaud these honorees for leading by example and helping show what’s possible when people and businesses invest in Rhode Island.”

Learn more about the organization at LocalReturn.org.